Sharing our Trip to Japan Sept 15 to Oct 6 Ichigo Ichi Once in a Lifetime. Healing our old Samarai Marital Souls
TOKYO Sept. 15, 2026 Flying out from Atlanta Hartsfield Airport International to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan 15 hours.
Day 1 September 16 Haneda airport, Tokyo, Japan WHAT AN EXPERIENCE YOU FILL OUT ONLINE WITH DELTA IMMIGRATION CARD AND IT TELLS YOU THANK YOU BUT NO CONFIRMATION AND THEN YOU ARRIVE AND NO IMMIGRATION CARDS TO LONG LINES BUT YOU HAVE MONITORS TO GET A QR CODE AND THEN GET IN LINE AGAIN TO USE IT OR IN LINE TO FIND THE PAPER CARDS THAT DELTA DIDN’T EVEN GIVE US ON THE PLANE OR MENTION OR OFFER..ARCHAIC SYSTEM THEN THEY WANT YOU TO LINE UP FOR REMOTE FOR QR CODES BUT FIRST ANOTHER MACHINE TO SCAN YOUR PASSPORT AND FACE RECOGNITION AND THEN IMMIGRATION TO GO TO CUSTOMS AGAIN A REMOTE FOR QR CODE NO MATTER IF NOTHING TO DECLARE OR NOT AND THEN FILL PAPER AGAIN. I WOULD THINK THEY COULD DO BETTER BUT AFTERWARDS EVERYTHING IS HIGH TECH…WE HAVEN’T SEE ANY ROBOTS THOUGH WANDERING THE STREETS MY HUSBAND MENTIONED. I SAID MAYBE AT THE UNIVERSITY’S LIKE GA UNIVERSITY IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA…WHO KNOWS.
Landed non stop flight delta 0295
Immigration line for 2.5 hours
Use QR code or paper to fill immigration card we didn’t get any
We file while moving in line and then get to the spot where face id is screened with passport and two index finger prints then get in line with immigration id card to have checked then get out to get luggage and then get customs card to even not declare and get checked passport using QR code or paper form.
Similar to Singapore Train station cleanliness and line for getting money exchange to yen. Then line for the new subway train Tokyo Panorama and purchase tickets via Suica Card. Take train because uber or taxi more and rome2ro app is expensive and traffic is longer this way
Sept 16 to Sept 18 Reserved in Advance. Stayed in Dormy Inn in Akibahara for 3 nights has hot springs at top and sauna, anime book library with figurines and free popsicles and ice pillows, showers and dressing room separate women and men and all shampoo, etc. hair brush and washer and dryer and vending machines for drinks and snacks everywhere by the way if in emergency tsunami or earthquake…all vending machines are unlocked to feed the people stranded.
7-11 & Lawson has atm and other things and family markets cheaper drink 50 cents to 75 cents $1 water bottles and snacks so cheap. They have a change counter you pour into the cashier to count your change to pay.
We had arrived during the special holiday for seniors called ‘Silver Week’ and lots of discounts on certain items.
Toto toilets make white noise so people can’t be heard going and self cleaning and will clean you too. Green energy conscious trash cans are scarce and normal to carry plastic bags to hold trash and recycle until you return home.
Day 2 Senso-ji Temple famous and lots of tiny older temples gifted for fisher man found Bodhisattva they call “Batsu” statue brought to temple and built and stored then a copy 646 made to show in temple. Bodhisattva’s everywhere and monks and holy markers, gardens and vendor street stalls going from temple all directions….There was a scene in the Senso-Ji area where a man who was of importance to the city was dressed in red and black tall hat in chains to be beheaded for a crime of having others die because of his neglect to follow the procedure to get permits after the council votes and there were council of the emperor who bestowed mercy on him dressed in gold hats and clothing and it was a special day for grace and forgiveness. The man had built something because he was a long time council member and permits must be voted on by council but instead he went ahead with the project without the vote and got permits but workers died and he was sentenced to death. So the special day they forgave him and he was released …I believe this wasn’t the man who brought the Bodhisattva from the waters as he was working with the permits for the waters and fisherman so he was in charge of that but didn’t obtain this particular time or follow the council vote to proceed without discussions…they had altered the story to fit pleasant reports only of history.
Visiting the Nakamise streets were all streets go out from the Temples in the olden times until now for shopping, eating,,,Green tea ice cream dessert, green tea beer, kimonos sushi with fresh wasabi had made fresh and had a bite to it but only needed a little to feel it and taste it and wagyu beef in Ueno Yakniku..since 1975 raw meat and egg and veggies fresh Korean home made soju (sake)
We walked the Akahabari Electric Street which has anime shops and girls in costumes outside to get you to shop.
Day 3 -Friday, Sept 18, 2026 Disney at Sea where you bought tickets only online in advance taking the train to Maihama…amazing and the train had Mickey Mouse shaped windows and subway handles, Halloween was up so banners and flags and costumes allowed and Halloween decorations and merchandise with Halloween theme. It is the 25th anniversary of Disney so they had special items and merchandise for that. There were Disney Princesses and Anime characters everywhere.
Walked into Italy with shoppes and vendors and merchandise all geared for all Disney themed characters. Attention to detail was amazing and the huge globe fountain of the Earth with Minnie and MIckey Mouse dressed in the Royal Anniversary aqua light blue themed where you took pictures with princesses. We went to ride Nemo and in an underwater submarine car and saw old relics, shipwrecks and water beings with crystals and some scary octopus arms and eels.
You kept walking and then you were in Aladdin's world and theater…food was not authentic because the chefs were Japanese and didn’t know the authentic flavor as Japanese like their being independent and proud so the items tasted like Japanese curry instead of Moroccan and the drink was blue jelly with mango lassi which is Asian touch there too. The town of Agraba was beautiful…they had a magic show with the person who trapped the Genie and became a found magician and Alladdan freed him. They had a magic carpet ride and carousel. They had a volcanic mountain that had smoke and it was a huge roller coaster ride like the old Magic Mountain in Disney Florida. We kept walking and came to Frozen town and the characters were there and sled for the snow and shoppes and rides and then we saw the line for Rapunzel 120 minutes and then kept walking until we went to beautiful hotel and gardens which were more fake but attention to rocks and fountains with Cinderella and her prince, the fairy god mother the mice and birds and dragon and face. We then kept walking and it was Peter Pan and his stone mountain face and in front of the hotel was the Merlin stone Mickey mouse reaching out to you. We went on the ride with Peter Pan…the best 3d flying and diving in the air…Then we walked some more and there was a Colonial US town and buildings and then some area for fake archeologists calling for work and an abandoned airplane and work space. We then walked through a fake bridge of marigolds that said that you pass when you die in Mexico for Day of the Dead. The petals and heard music and saw Mayan fire and water fountain on the ride of a roller coaster.
Kept walked and came to USA and the Roosevelt dedication to detail of his love or bears and it was a ship steamer replica and I knew it was fake but it had smoke coming out and the bar was beautiful and modeled after a real ship and we had cocktails gin and tonic and walked through Cape Code light house and then New York city port with beautiful fountain and shoppes and a scary activation for Halloween area as well. Many parades and interactions for small kids. Then we went to Italy and saw gondolas but they weren’t really larger to accompany crowds and then they had tour rides and a train that went around. We had the mikey mouse sweet roll and cappuccino and it was great. Then we walked around some more and waited for the light and fireworks show of boats and water craft with the princess and their Male lovers and ships with other Disney characters and dancers and light themes even on the building with the light show so beautiful. We ended the night eating at a cheap Chinese place and then next day we can sleep in and go to Shibuya.
TOKYO SHINJUKU/SHIBUYA
Day 4 - Sept. 19 The Shinjuku stay at J-Mex Spa was posh and spacious, had a spa inside our room and we went to Golden Gai Alley that has many tiny type bars and snacks for a few blocks. Hiro made yakitori chicken skewers and gave us sake so pure and then we enjoyed more but I had cardamom alcohol. It was a great place for night life and we walked to the main areas of town drug dealers and anime shops and more places of entertainment and eating and it made Las Vegas at Christmas or New Years look so small. 7-11 has all kinds of snacks as people here are always on the go. We also sat in another bar restaurant and we had cassis sodas and sausages and prosciutto and enjoyed an American pub named Bon’s… with movies and music, etc. Bob Dylan…this area was Kachikubo…So another day would be better during this rain for taking the train to Shibuya has the live model with roaring of the Godzilla at the Gracery Hotel with digital Godzilla instead during the rain..Metropolitan Govt. Bldg had a full view of Mt. Fuji but not today so we skipped it….
Day 5 - Sept. 20 Today the Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens skipped due to rain but a package deal with Maikoya to wear a Kimono, tea ceremony and samurai & ninja museum, ninja star throwing and sword demonstration with sword teacher named Eiki and Museum samurai guide, Hina….and joked with the cashier after buying a samurai deer hat that they needed reviews…haha… Masa. The kimono fitting was wonderful and the tea ceremonial teacher …Ai which means Love taught us the green tea ceremony and a few characters and words harmony, zen and being in the present tokyo nearby rainy day had to cancel Mt. Fuji view in Metro Bldg and garden walks but lunch nearby and this show will do. Had Masala Indian for dinner. The kimono wearing and dressing was an art and the ladies had all kinds of hairpins, hairproducts and hair pieces and flowers to wear. It was the expert kimono lady who wrapped me in several layers and ties, we wore the kabuki two socks in traditional white and the sash was the last after the cumberbund type for the sash to go over. I had done my hair up and makeup was light and the older woman complimented me on my hair and said that I wanted her to do it because your hair is already very nice. No shoe zone. The women younger are colorful and the older women more subtle but that’s not me and men wear plain colors and drab my husband as an older man colors but he chose red for his passionate side. The tea ceremonialist was named “Love” Ai in Japanese and she exhibited the formality and the meanings of the ceremony and Japanese characters…harmony, purity, stillness in zen and it was made with matcha green tea powder and the vessel was the symbol of emptiness and the filling hearing the stirring of the whisk in stillness after 1 minutes of meditation. Lots of bowing and respect and courtesy… They had sweets made with simple sugar in the form of flowers or shapes of the season and the rice wrapper cinnamon…she made a joke if you don’t like the kimono could be used to put the sweet the hidden sleeves to hide not to insult the host & wrapped in the paper napkin cleverly. The whisk is made of bamboo and ladle. The whisk had 80 to 100 hand carved splinters to whisk back and forth and in “M” formation for foaming and then a zero direction clockwise…You turned the cup with design facing you from the host/ceremonialist two times in 12 to 3 and 3 to 12 to face the ceremonialist and you wiped with your fingers where mouth touched…she did some other things before like folding a red cloth napkin twice cleaning all the tools and bowls. Then the tour of the Samarai/Ninja Museum next to it in Shinjuku. We passed a temple on the way to the place. The Samurai served the ‘God” Emperor that was from the Goddess of the Sun named Ameratersu and the Shogun was in charge and the Samarai had a family of different Samarais that had crests or clans rabbit…etc, deer very holy…and the ninja were dressed in black and spies for information or killing quietly enemies. Samarais served at 12 years old and used old horse hair to make whiskers on the masks to fool the age of the enemies and used bow and arrows, the long lances and then swords…the sword making was intense process and the katana only kills 2 to 3 at a time so you need 3 swords for battle. Then guns were created 500 years ago and the a emperor ruled out the Samarai and the last one died by Harikari…self suicide by slicing the belly. If the Master of the Samurai was not approved of what a Samurai who served him did…the Samurai killed themselves as an honor killing and if they were some had family members cut off their head for not suffering from cutting their own belly. Then we finished throwing stars on targets with the Guide Hina and The Master Swordsmen had a Japanese fighting class and taught us basic techniques after wearing the kabuki trouser and top and practicing the form and ways and then we sliced into foam layers…It was so much fun and my husband bought me a Samurai deer antler design hat. It was the best experience we had ever had and posed with samurai costumes they took pictures of us.
Day 6 Sept 21 NIKKO CANCELLED due to rain scheduled one hour ride to and 1 back and lots of temple stairs hiking trails and won’t risk falling and has hot springs so no go.
Typhoon cancelled activities to Nikko maybe on return at the tail end of the trip… so here we are enjoying this lovely suite with a jacuzzi tub…Hubby so well arranged train rides and stay at Mt. Fuji Tuesday.
There was a misprint on Romancecar to Hikone so we left for Fujikawagicho - Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawagicho..We leave Tuesday from this area…love it but typhoons causing rains and lack of visibility today. Have a day off, try facials in the room and jacuzzi tub together and just relax and enjoy our beautiful room even has a karaoke and game tv and china for coffee cups and breakfast and one shower and toto toilet..
Da 7- Sept 22 MT FUJI OR FUJIKAWAGICHOI/LAKE KAWAGICHO
Day - We took a bus to Mt. Fuji was surprisingly a sunny day after but the traffic, road construction and typhoon catchup made us ride instead of 1.5 hours to 2.5 and by that time you only could see Mt. Fuji’s bottom half. We then went to a hotel called Noborisaka (WASN’T GREAT BUT DIRECT VIEW OF FUJI) which means uphill not much but pricey and to Lake Kawagochiko which is a huge pond. Food is exciting here and taking a 5 hour train ride to Takayama which means hawk/falcon mountain for a couple days. Hotel rooms are normally tiny and compact. This one had an onsen but it was very small. Kind of reminded me of how Sedona went from everyone able to visit to now the high end folks live there kinda vibe. Mt. Fuji was sunny for 2.5 hours but the bus ride from traffic and road construction and typhoons and holiday of the Summer solstice created a 1.5 hour ride into a 2.5 hour ride so the clouds covered the top half at arrival. We checked in and then took a taxi to Lake Kawagicho and it was like a large pond and had swan paddle boats and boats you could rent to ride in the river. We sat and we jammed and I played in healing and gratitude for all the elements and the mountain and mountains, plants, earth and water and all living things. We had then walked back into town to eat at a Ramen place all computerized and you ordered on the digital order board just like McDonalds and then you were shown to your seat. It was okay but I felt the sauce was artificial or too much and we had upset stomachs from the broth. Next morning at Mt Fuji Pancakes which are pancakes cooked on lava stone and so fluffy and light with many flavors and even Japanese breakfast or lunch included.
Day 8 - Sept 23 Takayama. I took the Shinkansen bullet train to Nagoya and transferred to Takayama.
TAKAYAMA MY PAST LIFE
The next day we left for Takayama as mentioned and it was a 2 day stay in a Residential Hotel near the train station and it was complete for business travels. The bathroom had a bath and shower right beside each other so the floor was made to shut the door and water seal and either take a shower or a small cute bath. They had a washer and dryer…however the dryer takes forever so you have to hand out slots for laundry and it was a hot and nice day.
Day 9 - Sept 24 passed on the Shirakawa-go old thatched village as we met a couple from Portugal whose friend says there is one nearby instead of a 2 hours ride to it so we cancelled and took a taxi to Hida de Sato Village. The thatched roof farm houses were built in 1600-1700 and it took 4 days to make the thatched roofs. Cattle were valued and horses and paintings to honor the health of the horses were placed inside or outside to give the cattle in or outside protection and good health. The homes had a hearth and dirt fire pit burning at all times to keep pests, mold and the home dry. Designated areas around the hearth to eat were for Father, Mother, Children and guests. There was water there and carp koi fish all over there and we played the games outside like tried to walk on bamboo stilts, juggling, taking a wooden ball attached to a cup like thing and getting it to land right in the cup without coming out, make a puzzle cube from random wood pieces, there was make shift wooden bamboo squirt gun to hit the target of a fanned spinning wheel across by filling it with water and shooting at the paddles.
The sweet potato smoothie was outstanding and was sweet potato, with sweet potato fries and taro chips and mochi in the mix with the ice cream was amazing.
We then took the taxi after a couple hours and jammed to honor the village and heal all to the Old Town Takayama and snacked and my husband sampled so many types of sake because Takayama as you recall has the best rice and sakes and beers. Their beef is like cotton called the Hida beef you grill over hot fire like Koreans. We had such a lovely time and we sat by the river and took pictures of river guardians and god near it because the lunch places close at 2 p.m. and restaurants don’t open until 5 p.m. for dinner…so its snack times and we had panko, wasabi potato cutlets and some skewers on sticks and green tea icream…We looked at the shoppes and met a family from Australia and jammed there by the river while waiting for 5 p.m. and we at ar Maruaki Restaurant which is like to grill like the Korean set up with shoes off and sit on floor…so delicious and so wonderful…We strolled back to take a taxi back to the hotel. The next morning we strolled the Old Town again and had a hot lunch and some green tea dessert. Amazing. We checked out and took the train to Kyoto and stayed in Hotel Monterey and is a posh hotel but not as good as the J-MEX but the onsen hotsprings were great. It has 3 types of warm water temps and cold water and sauna. Very relaxing.
KYOTO 5 nights at Hotel Monterey reserved.
Day 9/10 - Friday, Sept 25 We arrived at Hotel Monterey and went to the cool loud and fun Tamoshibi bar in Japanese. A bar to drink is called an izakaya and Jap tapas. I met a man there and the staff was loud and fun and we enjoyed the tapas.
We hiked 3 hours of stairs and arches a the Fushimi-Inari Shrine with all the arches that have names of those donated to the temple and World Heritage site and so many steps…OMG our calves were dying but we made it and rang lots of bells for the ancestors and prayed for healing and then we shopped by the vendors and had the best Wagyu burger and Dragon Burger and caught the train back and rested and I went into the onsen and then we went out again to take the train to Gion Pontocho District..Geisha district but they are out only to get to tea houses at sunset so we missed them and known as Lantern Alley by the river. It had quaint bars and restaurants and we ate at one where we took off shoes and sat on cushions on the floor and ate amazing food. By the way; we ate all the time with chopsticks and a ladle for our soup and got really good at it. We strolled and took the taxi back the way we came.
KYOTO ARASHIYAMA
Day 11 Sept 26- We ventured out on Sunday to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove next the the Tenryu-ji Temple and the shoppes and bought some and at the the Alley food court tapoyaki baby octopus balls, vegetable tempura and some cold tea and then we had green tea ice cream cone to share again and walked to the train station and went back to the hotel.
Monday, Sept. 28, it was another day and we slept in and massaged each other's calves and shoulders and did my Reiki a few times. I was scheduled for Reiki but they wanted cash so I had to cancel because I thought they took the card and will look another time. It was raining and wet our shoes at Arashiyama and I had to dry them inside as best I could for the Lantern Pontocho district dinner and stroll.
Day 12 Sept 27 - We went to the most beautiful temple called Kiyomizu-dera (Mizu means water) temple and strolled the streets lined with shoppes like all temples of food and gift items called Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka streets and had some great soba noodles with smoked herring which was nice and smoked and beef soba noodles. We bought a few gift items and then took a taxi back and rested.
Day 13 - Sept 28 - Next tomorrow Golden Pavilion & Zen, Kinkakuji Temple with gold lead covering it and statues and a room that was all gold and rung the prayer gong for the Ancestors…Beautiful temple and so many…and had to skip the Philosopher's path information
The Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku no michi) in Kyoto, Japan, gets its name from Nishida Kitaro (1870–1945), a famous philosophy professor who used the scenic route for daily meditation while commuting to Kyoto University. [1, 2]
History and Route Details
Location: Northern part of Kyoto's Higashiyama district.
Length: Approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long.
Endpoints: Begins near Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion) in the north and ends near Nanzen-ji in the south.
The Canal: Follows a shallow irrigation channel supplied by the Lake Biwa Canal, which was built during the Meiji Period (1868–1912).
Official Recognition: Formally established as a walking trail by local residents in 1968 and selected as one of the 100 Best Japanese roads 1986.
It is a stroll near a canal because we wanted a night stroll but they don’t purposely put lights to see at night so they want you to venture out in the day time where a philosopher and professor used the stroll for meditative walks but you can’t go at night…the rivers and water walks don’t have lighting at night so you can accidentally fall in. We were too tired and it was a long ride to it the next day of checkout from Kyoto Hotel Monterey.
OSAKA
Day 14-15 Takes a 30 minute JR train to Hotel Abitare Namba in Naniwa… Osaka after 2 nights to stay 2 night experience
We went to Lunch at a farm food place like Indian Thali but Japanese Thali…so good and Yama cola…which is herbal and delicious mountain cola and tried the cascara soda but it was very mild…we bought a syrup to make yama cola at home alcohol or non alcohol…For dinner my husband found a place that had live music called Mongolian Restaurant Anand in Naniwa area…They had a Horse head instruments two string they call “Morin Khurr” that had the ends of horses because these are mountain people and a man played excellent collection of his violins and missed the throat singing…this is where We stayed a Hotel Abitare Nambo where it is people less you check in with a code and then you register and show your id and a person takes the picture of you on their camera and the room number and code to get in is assigned you take a photo of and go to your room. Tomorrow we go to Nara to feed the deer and they bow to you and return for leftover Mongolian lunch and evening stroll Dotonbori Street Lights with street foods and action and liveliness
Day trip to Nara Park and Temple with Botanical Gardens and feed deer and didn’t see Golden Buddha too crowded..beautiful temples and golden buddha and deer everywhere you can feed and they bow to you as you bow to them and many food and shoppes…husband had green tea beer and I had peach soda no sugar and she gifted us the paper origami crane…I shopped for Kanji souvenirs of our names and tabi/kabuki tabi socks with the wind god to match our tees we bought in Ayarashima Bamboo stroll and shoppes Tenryko Temple. We took the bus back to the station we came from to return to our Hotel Abitare Namba in Namba district or Naniwa and got ready to for the Dotonbori amazing stroll for streets and river cruise and to have a drink and met a young man Gyu from S. Korea with his Uncle and he was going back into service when his Uncle treated him to drinks and meal near the river…it was like Vegas baby but 10X and wasn’t even New Years and I know I am repeating myself but this is the only way I can describe the massive places to enjoy karaoke, drinking, partying, shopping and eating.
We cancelled going to Miyajima Islands where the floating arch is, waterfalls and hot springs because it takes an all day excursion and rain was present. Not safe to walk the shrine and trails, etc.
KOBE
Day 17 Oct 2 -3 - Train 1.5 hrs to Kobe, Japan ... .known for the Tajima that takes 3 to 5 year old cows and has strict stipulations to be that and if they don’t meet the standards become the beef you eat. The sirloin was like cotton and we had Chef Hige prepare artistically and beautifully our steaks and each ingredient used from vegetables, to eggs and seasonings and sauces and condiments were all fresh. Ezaki assisted us in deciding our order and then it was no way like commercial sloppiness, no comparison Benihana and he crafted his work and food with so much love, skill and care. The wine had no sulfites and was made by the local company group Nisshachiko. The garlic fried rice was prepared with the appreciation of his skill in making simple ingredients meld into a genius and awesome delicious and unforgettable meal. We ended our dinner for a walk In Nankimmachi est. 1878 when the port opened up and hence the Chinese made their mark and home here in Kobe, Japan aka China town with streets of food vendors galore and gift items. We had an affordable snack time meal and the square had the Chinese Astrological sculptures on display with a pavilion. So many Lawson’s and 7-11s was our choice for the ice cream treats…so cheap under $2.00 each and wonderful. My husband is so into matcha and loves anything with matcha and got him an ice cream with that. Shopping Motomachi is a huge street of stores, groceries, and more. I bought an outfit with a Japanese flare and typically black and top with a necklace. We tried for an hour or more to find clothing for my husband but things didn’t quite fit his small build but muscular and big bones so things were a little awkward for him. Kobe is an awesome city.
HIROSHIMA
Day 16 Oct 1 - Train to Hiroshima from Dormy Inn - I wear my crane origami earrings and hairpin I bought at the very first temple along with other gifts for my family to honor the lives lost during the bomb drop and feel but not take in the history to understand the energy and Peace Park stroll Hiroshima Memorial Museum & Children's Peace Monument that has a bell inside the state of the famous Japanese girl that got leukemia at 10/11 years old from being exposed to Nuke drop August 6, 1945 at 2 years old named Sadako Sasaki. She was in hospital and made cranes to heal herself and for peace and to have no more suffering or Nukes and made 1,000 paper cranes in hospital and died at 12 years old…there is boxed in glass displays of the cranes gifted to her in unity of her thought to spread peace and no nukes from all around the world. Amazing tiny cranes forming pictures and chains. I remember my children in elementary school did this in their class and sent these to Japan…the website does show where to send it to. Gift of peace with origami cranes. There was an eternal outside flame and a cenotaph to represent the victims died instantly floating in rivers and didn’t even know what happened to them and after being burned and afflicted for years in a coffin as well and a Peace Bell where you gently rocked the gong according to a guide speaking I overhead to ring it gently not with violence and peace to all and no nukes as a promise and it had the atomic symbol to gong to wipe out and a rabbit making mochi symbolize Japanese folklore meaning regarding the moon. It means selflessness, sacrifice and kindness from Buddhist Jataka tradition. The Museum depicted the victims and state of being before and after the bomb the USA dropped in agreement with England and Russia…. Here is some information to add to the meaning of the crane…We were sick to our stomach of the pictures of victims and the burns and suffering. It was dropped on these people unknowingly…Could we prevent this and not lead to this? I hope and pray…We had to take a moment outside the museum to gather ourselves like everyone and walk the Peace Park to the Peace Bell, the gardens of roses, the Centograph and Flame and the outside tributes and to see the Atomic Dome and Sadako Sasaki monument…
In Hiroshima, the paper crane symbolizes peace, hope, healing, and the innocent victims of nuclear war. [1, 2, 3]
The Story of Sadako Sasaki
Sadako Sasaki: A young girl who was two years old when the atomic bomb hit Hiroshima in 1945.
The Illness: Years later, she developed leukemia from radiation exposure.
The Folded Cranes: Inspired by an old Japanese legend that folding 1,000 origami cranes grants a wish, she folded paper cranes while in the hospital hoping to recover.
The Legacy: Sadako passed away at age 12, but her classmates finished folding the remaining cranes and campaigned for a monument. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Children's Peace Monument
If you are planning a visit, would you like information on how to fold an origami crane or where to donate cranes at the Hiroshima Peace Park?
We took some strolls and found a feather for my husband’s hat again by the river and reflected and took more moments from this heavy truthful and dire warning exhibit. I wish all our world leaders in the USA, Russia and England and others came to see the Peace Memorial Museum that we would have no war and focus on quality of life and unity and harmony with love.
We opted for Italian dinner at Cafe Ponte near the riverbank and had pasta with octopus and pasta with squid ink and oysters and the appetizer was ‘escargot’ type oysters seasoned so well. My husband had a beer and then couple of glasses of white wine to wash away the heaviness, the grief, the pain and the heartbreaking loss and I had a cassis and orange which oranges are very fresh non alcoholic drink…so good no added sugars and we had small salads so huge of caesar and plain but the variety of vegetables cut up french-style was amazing. We had shared green tea/vanilla, black bean with mochi and coffee gel and milk sundae…oh so good. We met people from Germany, 3 ladies and a couple from Australia. People from India in large groups everywhere. It was truly an amazing and awakening day.
TOKYO
Day 18 Oct 4 to 5 - Take a 4 hour train to leave Hiroshima after pizza at Cafe Ponte after one night stay at a Hotel Mystays and make our way back to Tokyo in Shinjuku for 2 nights.
TOKYO SHINJUKU/SHIBUYA
Day 19-20 Oct 4-5 - Final 2 days in Tokyo and return back to the USA. Gotta try to see the Godzilla at the Gracery Hotel in Shinjuku 8th floor but they stopped and youtube was wrong to go and touch the model of Godzilla but there were display of all the Godzilla movies and installation and some items to buy even the bar had drinks with Godzilla’s head on the foam we opted out for that but the Godzilla model blows smoke and growls at a certain time and hits an hour 24/7
Last minute anime, Japanese gifts of 6 floors of tourist shopping at the well known store named ‘’Don Quixote Mega Store for some souvenir gifts and clothing & Halloween Costumes but still no find of clothing for my Beloved. This trip was once in a lifetime…”Ichigo Ichae” pronounced ichigo eechay. We found the Subnade in Kabakicho area, an underground subway mall and restaurants where my Love bought my outfit and ate lunch and had coffee during that rainy day passing up Nikko’s trip. The Soba Noodle place is awesome and only $10 for lunch. We bought some shoes there because Japan has rain off and on but warm so this time of year is Fall and the shoes are water proof materials…we we bought dressy casual and my husband was overdue for casual dressy shoes…we think to replace our sneakers by now well worn from this trip and wearing almost everyday for gym and life back home. Then we saw most shops for women only to shop for clothing. We then went to the Shinjuku Station for the crossing and massive overlooking the 3d cat and on the way saw an interesting digital ad of Nana’s Green Tea Cafe and a place to shop called Llume Est which is floors of shopping including mens yay…Cool stuff and just my husband’s style and he smiled so big wearing the pants that he looked so good in and jacket. Then we ventured around looking for a cheap carry on bag and 3Coins was awesome looking for shirts and the Cafe…We finally found Nana’s but no shirts…frilly interesting fashions for young ladies makes them look like dolls of anime school girls Japanese find sexy. Food courts 7th and 8th floor and found this awesome place called “Nana’s Green Tea Cafe and the parfaits and desserts were awesome. So unusual for us to eat dessert first…haha. Then we ventured to the subway to get to Shibuya another huge Shibuya Crossing and ate Burger King’s Mushroom burger which was so fresh and varieties of real mushrooms for dinner…Shibuya Crossing is famous because people walk from all directions and the famous Hachiko, Akita Dog statue and story found on google:
Born in November 1923 in Akita Prefecture, Japan, Hachikō was adopted in 1924 by Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor at Tokyo Imperial University.
The dog walked the professor to Shibuya Station every morning and returned every evening at 5:00 PM to greet him. [1, 2, 3]
The Tragic Loss
On May 21, 1925, Professor Ueno suffered a fatal cerebral hemorrhage while at work and did not return.
Unaware of his owner's death, Hachikō returned to the station that evening—and continued to return at the exact same time every single day for the next nine years, nine months, and 15 days. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Legacy and Monument
Commuters and local shopkeepers fed and cared for Hachikō over the years, and a national newspaper published his story in 1932, turning him into a nationwide symbol of loyalty (chūken).
A bronze statue was first erected at the station in 1934. Although the original was recycled during World War II, a replacement was built in 1948 and still stands today as a famous meeting spot.
Hachikō passed away at the station on March 8, 1935, and was buried next to his owner at Aoyama Cemetery. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Last Day 21 Oct 6 in Tokyo Ride by Uber to Haneda Airport for Tax Free receipts which online says you can use their self help but the system down and not true…anytime you shop; you must go directly to tax free at the store after purchase plus the airport has no tax free cashier at all and items ready in hand for refunds and back to Atlanta, Ga International Hartsfield Airport with Delta flight DL 0295 to home Atlanta, Georgia, USA…
Landed Day 22 Oct 6 2:40 p.m. and beloved daughter, Haseena picks us up and we share our trip with her. Our son took care of the properties and cars and mail for us since he wanted to keep routine.
What a trip this has been and will be a memorable addition to our mutual life albums and experiences.
I will have to make a separate Japan Album for our trip together. Appreciate my loving and dedicated husband and his efforts to please me and make this a special time for both of us.
Sources from AI Google and Wikipedia.
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